Timeline

Belle Grove plantation, constructed in 1794, serves as an excellent example of antebellum Shenandoah Valley plantation life. In October 1864, the plantation witnessed one of the Civil War’s most significant engagements – the Battle of Cedar Creek – during which a victorious Union Army extinguished any hope of further Confederate offensives in the Valley. The story of the preservation of Belle Grove Plantation and the Cedar Creek Battlefield is just as important as the history that happened there. Recognizing the rich and significant history of the area, generations of preservation-minded Valley residents have partnered together to fight for the protection of their hallowed ground in the face of near-constant threats.